Manikins viewed individually provide specific information about the ideal
racial type of a period and, in this case, insight into how
Plains Indians, in particular Sioux men, were perceived during
this time. It is questionable whether, by using a face
mask for a manikin or sculpting it from a photo of a real individual,
museum exhibitors intended to represent an individual or simply
a racial type. The fact that the clothing, ornaments, and handicrafts
used on the manikin were never owned by the named individual
or were even of the same tribal group leads one to believe that
no real personal association was attempted.While accuracy
in depicting a cultural type was no doubt desired, it would
appear that popular appeal was more important than representing
a particular individual.